Wake Forest Edges Virginia Tech in Thrilling Finish
Saturday, January 3, 2026, 12:00 PM ET · LJVM Coliseum
Wake Forest Demon Deacons 81, Virginia Tech Hokies 78, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Virginia Tech Hokies vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons?
Wake Forest Demon Deacons beat Virginia Tech Hokies 81-78 at LJVM Coliseum on January 3, 2026.
Who was favored in Virginia Tech Hokies vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons?
Wake Forest Demon Deacons were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -265 (about 73% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons triumphed over the Virginia Tech Hokies with a final score of 81-78. This game showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with Wake Forest managing to secure the victory despite a recent two-game losing streak. The Demon Deacons improved their record at home to 11-5, while Virginia Tech's away record fell to 12-4.
Prior to this game, Wake Forest had a mixed performance in their last ten outings, recording a 6-4 record. Their scoring average was 78.6 points per game, while they allowed an average of 73.7 points. In their last five games, they averaged 76.2 points scored and allowed 75.0 points. However, they entered this contest on a two-game losing streak, having lost to NC State and Vanderbilt, which raised questions about their form. In contrast, Virginia Tech was riding a six-game winning streak, boasting an 8-2 record over their last ten games. The Hokies averaged 79.2 points scored and 72.6 points allowed during that stretch, with their last five games showing an impressive average of 85.6 points scored.
The game took place at the LJVM Coliseum, where Wake Forest had a home record of 5-2 this season. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, had a strong away performance with a 6-1 record before this game. In their previous meeting earlier in the season, Wake Forest had defeated Virginia Tech 72-63, giving them a 1-0 record in their head-to-head matchups this season.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but such factors often play a crucial role in games of this nature. The market had Wake Forest favored by 5.5 points according to DraftKings, with a total set at 153.5 points. The odds reflected a belief in a competitive game, as Virginia Tech was listed with a moneyline of +215, indicating they were viewed as underdogs.
The conditions during the game were not detailed in the block, but the atmosphere in college basketball venues often adds to the intensity of such matchups. Fans at the LJVM Coliseum witnessed a thrilling contest that saw multiple lead changes and a tightly contested second half.
Key moments in the game included crucial scoring plays in the final minutes. Tre'Von Spillers made a tip-in layup that brought Virginia Tech within one point at 75-74, but Wake Forest responded with a three-point shot from Nate Calmese, extending their lead to 79-76. The tension escalated as Neoklis Avdalas made two free throws for Virginia Tech, narrowing the gap to 79-78. However, Calmese's subsequent free throws sealed the victory for Wake Forest at 81-78.
This game not only highlighted the resilience of Wake Forest but also showcased the competitive nature of both teams as they look to solidify their standings in the NCAAB landscape.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | WAKE -5.5 | 153.5 o -112 / u -108 | Virginia Tech Hokies +215 · Wake Forest Demon Deacons -265 |
Leaders
- PointsNate Calmese25Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- AssistsNate Calmese7Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- ReboundsMyles Colvin8Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- PointsJailen Bedford25Virginia Tech Hokies
- AssistsNeoklis Avdalas7Virginia Tech Hokies
- ReboundsAmani Hansberry10Virginia Tech Hokies
Recent form
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Last 10: 6-4Streak L278.6 scored · 73.7 allowed per game4-2 at home
- L57-70at NC State WolfpackDec 31
- L67-98vs Vanderbilt CommodoresDec 21
- W71-68vs Longwood LancersDec 18
- W111-73vs Queens University RoyalsDec 14
- W75-66at West Virginia MountaineersDec 6
- L68-86vs Oklahoma SoonersDec 3
- W86-73vs Northeastern HuskiesNov 28
- W99-51vs Campbell Fighting CamelsNov 26
- W69-68at Memphis TigersNov 22
- L83-84at Texas Tech Red RaidersNov 21
Virginia Tech Hokies
Last 10: 8-2Streak W679.2 scored · 72.6 allowed per game2-1 away
- W95-85vs Virginia CavaliersDec 31
- W82-81vs Elon PhoenixDec 20
- W82-53vs Maryland Eastern Shore HawksDec 14
- W96-74vs Western Carolina CatamountsDec 12
- W73-62vs George Mason PatriotsDec 6
- W86-83at South Carolina GamecocksDec 3
- L68-86at VCU RamsNov 28
- L66-77vs Saint Mary's GaelsNov 27
- W66-64at Colorado State RamsNov 26
- W78-61vs Bryant BulldogsNov 20
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 35-3 | - | 17-1 |
| Virginia | 30-6 | 2 | 15-3 |
| Miami | 26-9 | 4 | 13-5 |
| North Carolina | 24-9 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Clemson | 24-11 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Louisville | 24-11 | 6 | 11-7 |
| NC State | 20-14 | 7 | 10-8 |
| Florida State | 18-15 | 7 | 10-8 |
| California | 22-12 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Stanford | 20-13 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Virginia Tech | 19-13 | 9 | 8-10 |
| SMU | 20-14 | 9 | 8-10 |
| Wake Forest | 18-17 | 10 | 7-11 |
| Syracuse | 15-17 | 11 | 6-12 |
| Pittsburgh | 13-20 | 12 | 5-13 |
| Notre Dame | 13-18 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Boston College | 11-20 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Georgia Tech | 11-20 | 15 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Virginia Tech Hokies | Wake Forest Demon Deacons |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-53 | 30-67 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 45 |
| Three-pointers | 10-30 | 7-24 |
| Three-point % | 33 | 29 |
| Free throws | 18-25 | 14-16 |
| Free throw % | 72 | 88 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 34 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 13 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 21 |
| Assists | 15 | 14 |
| Steals | 6 | 10 |
| Blocks | 2 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 19 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 2 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 2 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 15 | 19 |
| Fast-break points | 12 | 15 |
| Points in the paint | 24 | 40 |
| Fouls | 19 | 21 |
| Largest lead | 4 | 10 |
| Lead changes | 4 | 4 |
| Time in front | 8 | 77 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half43-45Jailen Bedford makes 11-foot floating jump shot (Neoklis Avdalas assists)
- 2nd Half43-48Nate Calmese makes 25-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half43-49Juke Harris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-50Juke Harris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half45-50Amani Hansberry makes 8-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half46-50Amani Hansberry makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half47-50Amani Hansberry makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half47-53Cooper Schwieger makes 22-foot three point jumper (Sebastian Akins assists)
- 2nd Half50-53Neoklis Avdalas makes 23-foot three point jumper (Amani Hansberry assists)
- 2nd Half50-56Mekhi Mason makes 25-foot three point jumper (Juke Harris assists)
- 2nd Half50-58Sebastian Akins makes 13-foot jumper (Cooper Schwieger assists)
- 2nd Half52-58Ben Hammond makes 8-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half55-58Jailen Bedford makes 26-foot three point jumper (Amani Hansberry assists)
- 2nd Half57-58Jailen Bedford makes 9-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half60-58Amani Hansberry makes 26-foot three point jumper (Ben Hammond assists)
- 2nd Half61-58Ben Hammond makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-58Ben Hammond makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-60Juke Harris makes 11-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half62-62Myles Colvin makes 2-foot dunk
- 2nd Half65-62Jailen Bedford makes 26-foot three point jumper (Neoklis Avdalas assists)
- 2nd Half65-64Juke Harris makes driving layup
- 2nd Half65-65Juke Harris makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half66-65Jailen Bedford makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-65Jailen Bedford makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-66Nate Calmese makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-67Nate Calmese makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-69Tre'Von Spillers makes 0-foot dunk (Nate Calmese assists)
- 2nd Half69-69Jailen Bedford makes driving layup
- 2nd Half69-71Tre'Von Spillers makes layup
- 2nd Half71-71Ben Hammond makes driving layup
- 2nd Half71-73Tre'Von Spillers makes 0-foot dunk (Nate Calmese assists)
- 2nd Half74-73Amani Hansberry makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jailen Bedford assists)
- 2nd Half74-75Tre'Von Spillers makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half74-76Tre'Von Spillers makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half76-76Christian Gurdak makes layup
- 2nd Half76-79Nate Calmese makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half77-79Neoklis Avdalas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-79Neoklis Avdalas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-80Nate Calmese makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-81Nate Calmese makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Wake Forest Demon Deacons, below favours Virginia Tech Hokies.
Venue
- LJVM ColiseumWinston-Salem, NC
- Attendance8460
- OfficialsTim Clougherty, Bill Covington Jr., Tyler Kumpf
Elsewhere
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- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond